# US 2013/0157526 A1 · Electrically powered surfboard > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0157526 A1 - Document ID: US20130157526A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/678,878 - Filed: 2012-11-16 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-11-16 - Inventors: Paul MARTIN - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130157526A1 ## CPC - B63H 21/17: by electric motor - B63B 32/10: Motor-propelled water sports boards (power-driven personal watercraft B63B34/10) - B63H 21/21: Control means for engine or transmission, specially adapted for use on marine vessels - B63J 2/12: Heating; Cooling - B63B 49/00: Arrangements of nautical instruments or navigational aids (nautical measuring instruments G01C; radio navigation, analogous arrangements using other waves G01S) - Y02T 70/50: Measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions related to the propulsion system - B63H: MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING (propulsion of air-cushion vehicles B60V1/14; specially adapted for submarines, other than nuclear propulsion, B63G; specially adapted for torpedoes F42B19/00) - B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06) - B63J: AUXILIARIES ON VESSELS - Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION ## Abstract Conventional unpowered surfboards enable riders to catch and ride waves towards a shoreline and experience the thrill and power of ocean waves. An electric powered surfboard has been developed to assist novice riders or riders who have suffered injuries or impairments which limit their ability to paddle are effectively prevented, or at least impaired from enjoying this activity. The surfboard comprises one or more propulsion systems which each comprise an electric motor, a drive shaft and a rotor. The rotor may be a propeller mounted in a fin of the board, or it may be an impellor in a water jet. The surfboard also comprises a power control system for controlling power to the propulsion system and comprises a speed controller and a battery as well as a cooling system for cooling the motor and speed controller. The surfboard may also comprise a monitoring system which comprises a power monitor and an output device for indicating the remaining capacity to the rider. This has the advantage of improved reliability as well as informing the user of their use and remaining capacity to ensure they are able to safely return to the shore. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electric powered surfboard comprising: at least one propulsion system comprising an electric motor and a rotor assembly; a power control system for controlling power to the at least one propulsion system comprising a speed controller and at least one battery; and a cooling system for cooling the motor and speed controller. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electric powered surfboard as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a monitoring system comprising a power monitor and an output device for indicating a remaining capacity to the rider. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The electric powered surfboard as claimed in claim 2, wherein the remaining capacity is indicated as an estimate of the time remaining determined from a predefined battery capacity. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The electric powered surfboard as claimed in claim 3, wherein the estimate of the time remaining is based upon the recent power usage levels. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The electric powered surfboard as claimed in claim 2, wherein the remaining capacity is indicated as a percentage of total capacity determined from a predefined battery capacity. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The electric powered surfboard as claimed in claim 2, wherein the output device is a digital display device mounted in or on the board. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The electric powered surfboard as claimed in claim 2, wherein the output device is a remote display device in wireless communication with the power monitor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The electric powered surfboard as claimed in claim 2, wherein the monitoring system further comprises one or more warning indicators. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The electric powered surfboard as claimed in claim 8, wherein the monitoring system comprises a temperature sensor and the one or more warning indicators comprises an over temperature indicator. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The electric powered surfboard as claimed in claim 8, wherein the one or more warning indicators comprises a low power indicator. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The electric powered surfboard as claimed in claim 8, wherein the one or more warning indicators are provided on the top surface of the board. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The electric powered surfboard as claimed in claim 1, wherein the propulsion system the electric motor is a brushless DC motor which is rated with a power rating in excess of 500 W. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The electric powered surfboard as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a fin, and wherein the rotor assembly comprises a drive shaft and a propeller located in the fin. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The electric powered surfboard as claimed in claim 13, wherein the drive shaft exits a lower surface of the surfboard and enters a forward edge of the fin, and the propeller is located in a cut out portion in the rear of the fin. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The electric powered surfboard as claimed in claim 14, wherein the fin further comprises a propeller guard. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The electric powered surfboard as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotor assembly comprises a drive shaft and a water jet and the drive shaft drives an impellor in the water jet. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The electric powered surfboard as claimed in claim 16, wherein the at least one propulsion system further comprises a scoop and a thruster tube, wherein the scoop projects from the bottom surface of the board to draw water into the water jet and the thruster tube directs water from the water jet to the rear of the board where it is expelled. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The electric powered surfboard as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cooling system is an open loop system comprising an intake port and an exhaust port. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The electric powered surfboard as claimed in claim 18, wherein the intake port is located on a lower surface in a front half of the board, and the exhaust port is located on a upper surface in a rear of half of the board. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The electric powered surfboard as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cooling system is a passive cooling system. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The electric powered surfboard as claimed in claim 20, wherein the speed controller and electric motor are mounted in a metal heat sink box located near a top surface of the board. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The electric powered surfboard as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cooling system is a closed loop system comprising a pump and a heat exchange region. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The electric powered surfboard as claimed in claim 22, wherein the heat exchange region is located in an upper region of the board.